A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy

A quiet library that straddles the border of the U.S. and Canada becomes an unlikely crucible for five people from around the world. When an Iranian family, separated from one another by the "Muslim ban," use the library as a meeting place, the head librarian, a U.S. border patrol officer, and a local teenager have to choose between breaking the law and saving themselves.
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

A Distinct Society

Recommended by

  • Lynn Millar:
    30 Nov. 2023
    “ A Distinct Society reveals such a society and creates one too. Five characters of different nature, heritage and situation talk in seamless language. Language that is seamless but fraught to absurd situations from 5 minute visits to sharing food to surrendering passports and life. The play gets better and better as is goes along revealing the characters to themselves and each other. Bravo. ”
  • Shaun Leisher:
    15 Jun. 2023
    “ A brilliant play about the power of family in the face of cruel legislation. ”
  • National New Play Network:
    9 Mar. 2021
    “ A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy was a finalist for NNPN's 2020 National Showcase of New Plays. ”
View all 17 recommendations

Character Information

2W, 3M

  • Peyman Gilani
    50s,
    Middle Eastern/Iranian
    ,
    Male
    A man in his 50s. Iranian. A cardiac surgeon. Speaks with a Persian accent. He is grounded.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Manon Desjardins
    40s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    A woman in her early 40s. White French-Canadian. The Head Librarian at the Haskell Free Library. Speaks with a mild Québécois accent. She is enigmatic.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Declan Sheehan
    15,
    White
    ,
    Male
    A 15-year-old boy. White Canadian. A high school student. The child of Irish immigrants to Québec. He is lonely.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Bruce Laird
    late 30s,
    African American / Black
    ,
    Male
    A man in his mid-to-late 30s. Black American. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent. He is charming.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Shirin Gilani
    20s,
    Middle Eastern/Iranian
    ,
    Female
    A woman in her mid-20s. Iranian. PEYMAN’s daughter. A medical student. Her accent is milder than her father’s. She is forthright.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Citadel Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    New York Stage & Film
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Capital Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    Oregon Contemporary Theatre
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    The Lark Play Development Center
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Writers Theatre
    ,
    2023
  • Professional
    ,
    TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
    ,
    2023

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center
,
2020
Semi-Finalist
,
Premiere Stages 2020 New Play Festival
,
Premiere Stages
,
2020
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2020
Winner
,
Next Act! New Play Summit
,
Capital Repertory Theatre
,
2020
Finalist
,
National Showcase of New Plays
,
National New Play Network
,
2020
Finalist
,
Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship
,
New Dramatists
,
2020